[Perseverance]

Hey, I previously bought a Dell laptop which came with Windows 7 already installed and with it came a 'Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD'. Out of interest, could this be used to install onto the new PC I'm about to get (to save me buying Windows 7 from my PC also)? The disc looks like the one on the image but for 64 bit





Thanks

[theandyguthrie]

You can, but you will be met with all kinds of activation errors. You wont be able to install updates.

With the PC they gave you 1 windows license - so it is only legal to use it on one PC.

[craig41]

In reality its possible for it to be installed onto your other computer; however depending on licensing issues and the hardware of the computer your planning on installing it to, theres a few things you need to check.

1. The hardware of your new computer supports 64 bit windows.
2. You have a clean hard drive with enough space to install windows onto.
3. That the license agreement allows you to install it onto your other computer, the last thing you want is the product key to be blacklisted for both computers.
4. That the hardware on your new computer is enough for the requirements of Windows 7 pro e.g ram
5. If the reinstallation dvd is only useable for the dell computer you own, there is some software online that will help you extract the required parts of the dvd so it can be used on any computer you wish to install (again do check the licensing agreements).

If all else fails, I do recommend downloading and installing the new Windows 8 release preview as have I, because its free at the moment and should give you enough time to sort out an operating system for your new computer if the above fails.

[Perseverance]

Thanks, it seems unlikely now, Scan sells Windows 7 for over £70 - does anyone know if there's a way to get it cheaper? Can you get student discount?

[craig41]

I'd suggest ebay, but thats a risky one as most sellers might be selling it without a product key. Your university or college should be able to provide Windows for free as part of the msdn agreement if you can prove it'd be for student purposes. Other than that you'd just have to pay :/